“The Master’s Guide to Greatness” Part 2 “Recognize Jesus Authority” Matthew 8:18 – 9:8

The trip begins with an unusual declaration…(v.18) When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. – v.18 Jesus “narrowed the number who could go with him to a committed few”.

Some prospects are disqualified…(vv.19-22) Anyone seeking security or status is disqualified. (vv.19-20) Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

Some prospects are disqualified…(vv.19-22) Anyone seeking security or status is disqualified. (vv.19-20) Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

Some prospects are disqualified…(vv.19-22) He “had been a disciple of a rabbi He addressed Jesus as teacher. “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

Some prospects are disqualified…(vv.19-22) Anyone not willing to disrupt the normal rhythms of social life is disqualified. (vv.21-22) Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

Some prospects are disqualified…(vv.19-22) Anyone not willing to disrupt the normal rhythms of social life is disqualified. (vv.21-22) But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Some prospects are disqualified…(vv.19-22) If anyone died they had to be buried within 24 hours. “honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12). “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Some prospects are disqualified…(vv.19-22) Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. “and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him”. – Matthew 4:22

The disciples that went encounter danger…(vv.23-27) Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat.

The disciples that went encounter danger…(vv.23-27) But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

The disciples that went encounter danger…(vv.23-27) He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

The disciples that went encounter danger…(vv.23-27) The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

The disciples that went encounter danger…(vv.23-27) The disciples natural response is fear. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

The disciples that went encounter danger…(vv.23-27) Jesus has demonstrated that he has the same power as the God of Israel. Jesus had demonstrated that He is worthy of being followed.

A crazy destination…(vv.28-34) When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon- possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way.

Jesus, violates political correctness: He went to a Gentile territory - in the region of the Gadarene He met demon possessed men - two demon-possessed men He went to a cemetery – coming from the tombs met him

We learn five things about demons from this passage: They immediately recognized Jesus for who he was. (v.29) “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted.

We learn five things about demons from this passage: They knew there would be an appointed time for their judgment by Christ. (v.29) “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”

We learn five things about demons from this passage: They know they must submit to Jesus authority (v.31) The demons begged Jesus

We learn five things about demons from this passage: They can only be present in one place at one time. (v.31). “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”

We learn five things about demons from this passage: They only know destructive behavior (v.32) He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.

A crazy destination Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. “were so violent that no one could pass that way.

A crazy destination Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region. They choose their material way of life over the person and ministry of Jesus.

Jesus departed for home (9:1-8) Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

Jesus departed for home At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”

Jesus departed for home Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?

Jesus departed for home But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”

Jesus departed for home And the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.

Jesus departed for home There is a myth that Jesus met physical needs of people as a way to gain access to their spiritual needs.

Jesus departed for home The first thing Jesus did was pronounce the man forgiven. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

Jesus departed for home Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?

Jesus departed for home Then Jesus healed the man to demonstrate His authority to forgive sin. But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…”

Jesus departed for home Then Jesus healed the man to demonstrate His authority to forgive sin. Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” And the man got up and went home.

Bottom Line: Living a life of greatness is possible if I trust Jesus Christ!

Bottom Line: Trust him in the storms. Trust him to handle the needs of everyone who comes regardless of whether society considers them worthy or not.

Bottom Line: Trust him to have authority over sin and the power to forgive sin.

Bottom Line:

Trust him because Jesus has authority over all of life and is worthy of being followed!

Bottom Line: Live out of Christ authority not your inadequacies!